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Venture Ashore offers shore excursions in over 500+ destinations worldwide, serving travelers from all major cruise lines. Private cruise tours and small group excursions are available in ports within the following regions:

• Africa
• Alaska
• Asia
• Caribbean
• Europe
• Hawaii
• Mediterranean
• Mexican Pacific Coast
• Middle East
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

With over 150 years of combined cruise industry experience, Venture Ashore's team of destination experts carefully selects each shore excursion in partnership with licensed local operators. Every cruise tour is hand-picked for quality, safety, and authenticity, offering a great range of experiences for all interests including family-friendly, adventure filled and culinary delights.

Tours offered by cruise lines and other platforms often include 75-100 travelers per group. Venture Ashore keeps shore excursions intentionally small with 10-25 travelers, offering a more authentic, intimate experience with local guides. Venture Ashore tours are generally smaller than cruise line tours and competitively priced, with actual size and savings varying by excursion.

Venture Ashore excursions are designed for travelers either sailing on a cruise or traveling on land. If you aren't arriving by cruise ship please enter your hotel or AirBnB details in the checkout for an easy pickup.

Cruise itineraries can change for a variety of reasons. With Venture Ashore's Don't Port, Don't Pay Guarantee, all cruise excursions are fully covered for last-minute changes if your ship does not dock. You can choose a full refund or an alternative shore excursion at another port of your choice. The same policy applies if your ship arrives late and there isn't enough time for your original tour.

Most of our cruise excursions include port pick-up and drop-off for a seamless experience. We carefully select tour partners whose vehicles and guides meet our high standards, ensuring every shore excursion is comfortable, safe, and on time.

Yes. All of our tour partners are licensed and insured, ensuring every cruise excursion delivers an exceptional traveler experience.

Our tour operators and guides monitor daily conditions for all cruise excursions. If a tour can't run safely due to weather, closures, or other reasons, you'll receive a full refund.

Only when they are specifically listed as included on the excursion page. Some tours include attraction tickets, meals, tastings or refreshments, while others leave these purchases to the traveler. Review the tour inclusions and exclusions before booking and contact us if anything is unclear.

Prices are per person unless the excursion page specifically states that the price is per vehicle, private group or other unit. The total price and any passenger categories will be displayed before payment.

Child pricing and age requirements vary by excursion. If a reduced child rate is available, it will appear when you select the travel date and number of guests. Some tours also have minimum age, height or participation requirements, which are listed on the excursion page.

You can either pay in full or secure your spot with a 50% deposit for all eligible cruise excursions. You can book and pay with a 50% deposit when booking more than 120 days ahead . The remaining balance will be charged 120 days before the tour date.

You can choose to pay for any Venture Ashore cruise excursion in US Dollars, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars, Euros, or Australian Dollars. Your selected currency will be confirmed during checkout before your credit card is charged.

No. Gratuities are optional and left to your discretion based on the quality of service. We encourage you to check local gratuity customs for each destination.

If your plans change, you can cancel any Venture Ashore cruise excursion for a full refund up to 7 days before the tour date. You are fully covered for any last-minute itinerary changes with our Don't Port, Don't Pay Guarantee. If the ship skips the port, you skip the charge.

Contact Venture Ashore as soon as possible through the Contact Us page or the contact information provided with your booking. Changes are subject to availability and may affect the price. Except for reservations with special or nonrefundable terms, cancellations received seven or more days before the excursion date and time in local time are eligible for a full refund. Different terms may apply to group, custom and specially arranged reservations.

Eligible refunds are processed to the original payment method within 14 days after Venture Ashore receives the cancellation request. Your bank or card provider may take additional time to display the credit.

If your confirmed excursion cannot operate, Venture Ashore will contact you as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances and the applicable booking terms, you may be offered an alternative experience, a revised arrangement or a refund. Review any tour-specific cancellation terms included with your confirmation.

Venture Ashore's shared tours are small-group cruise excursions where you experience the itinerary with other travelers. Private tours are exclusive to the traveler’s party, with most giving flexibility around itinerary and pace according to your interest.

Pre- and post-cruise excursions take place before or after your cruise. Many travelers arrive early or stay later at their departure port, and enjoy exploring with Venture Ashore cruise excursions in a relaxed, seamless way.

Venture Ashore's “On Your Own” excursions are self-guided shore excursions for travelers who prefer exploring independently. Roundtrip transportation from the cruise ship to a convenient drop-off point is included with these tours.

Yes. We offer a variety of accessible cruise excursions designed for travelers with limited mobility. Tours that are wheelchair-friendly or include minimal walking are marked as accessible, with full details provided for review before booking.

Accessibility varies by excursion, vehicle and destination. Tours identified as accessible include relevant information on the excursion page, but travelers should still contact us before booking to confirm the dimensions of the mobility device, whether it folds, transfer requirements and the accessibility of vehicles and venues. Do not assume a tour can accommodate a wheelchair or mobility device unless it has been confirmed.

Our activity levels indicate a combination of walking distance, terrain, and physical effort required for each excursion, as well as any relevant health restrictions. They're designed to help you choose experiences that best match your comfort level and mobility.

Easy: Minimal walking or physical activity.

Light: Some walking at a casual pace, which may include steps.

Moderate: Walking up to 2 km, which may include steps or inclines, or moderate physical activity.

Strenuous: Walking more than 2 km, including steps and inclines, or moderately difficult physical activity. Not recommended for guests who are pregnant or have health concerns.

Hard: Challenging physical activity. Not recommended for guests who are pregnant or have health concerns.

Please review the tour description for specific requirements. Everyone’s abilities and health circumstances are different, so consider your own fitness, mobility, and health when choosing an excursion. If you’re unsure whether a tour is suitable for you, consult your doctor before booking.

Customized tours are private cruise excursions created exclusively for your group, allowing you to explore each destination at your own pace and on your own schedule. These private cruise tours include personalized itineraries, private transportation directly from the cruise pier, and access to hidden gems for a more authentic experience.

Yes. We offer a variety of family-friendly cruise excursions (age, height and participation requirements vary by tour). Where applicable, tour listings will indicate requirements such as minimum ages and height. If a listing doesn't include this information, contact us at [email protected] for guidance and we will be happy to help.

Tell us about dietary restrictions and food allergies before booking or as soon as possible afterward. We will pass reasonable requests to the local provider, but availability varies and a request is not guaranteed unless it is specifically confirmed in writing. Travelers with serious allergies should review the arrangements directly with our team before participating.

While the majority of our shore excursions are conducted in English, private tours in many destinations are also available in preferred languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and more.

We recommend booking shore excursions as early as possible, especially popular cruise tours or private tours, since many experiences sell out quickly. You can reserve your spot with a 50% deposit and cancel for a full refund up to 7 days before the tour, giving you the flexibility if plans change.

Most shore excursions can be booked up to 7 days before the tour date, subject to availability. If you're booking within 3 days of the tour or while onboard, contact us at [email protected] for availability, though options may be limited. It's advised to book early to ensure you receive your vouchers, which include transportation information and start times.

Most Venture Ashore excursions include transportation with pick-up and drop-off right at the cruise pier. Some tours begin from a nearby meeting point or central city location within a short walk, or in destinations where safe and convenient taxi transportation is available. Each cruise excursion listing includes full details so you can choose the option that best fits your needs.

All Venture Ashore excursions are scheduled in the local time of the port. Your cruise ship may use a different “ship time,” which may not match the local time. It's advised to always follow the tour's local time. Our team carefully checks each reservation to ensure that you are scheduled at the correct time.

After booking a Venture ashore excursion, you'll receive an email confirming your booking request, followed by an email with your voucher including all tour details. If you booked with a 50% deposit, the voucher is sent once the balance is paid (usually 120 days before your tour). If your request cannot be confirmed, our team will contact you.

After booking your shore excursion, contact our operations team at [email protected] to submit special requests, such as seating preferences, birthday or anniversary celebrations, or dietary needs. Requests are accommodated when possible but are not guaranteed.

Your voucher is issued after the excursion has been confirmed and full payment has been received. It will be available in your Venture Ashore account and may also be provided by email. If you paid a deposit, the voucher is issued after the remaining balance has been paid and the booking is fully confirmed.

Your meeting instructions are available on both your excursion voucher and in the Venture Ashore app. Because local cell service or internet access may not be available at the meeting point, we recommend saving a copy to your device before the tour or bringing a printed copy. Review the meeting time, location and guide instructions before leaving the ship or your accommodations.

Yes. You can select excursions for different ports and add them to your booking, provided each tour matches your cruise itinerary and has availability. Venture Ashore also offers selected multi-port excursion packages that combine experiences in several destinations through one booking with an additional discount applied.

If you have trouble locating your guide or are running late, call the emergency phone number listed on your voucher for assistance. Many tours cannot wait, so it's important to follow the meeting instructions and arrive on time.

Each shore excursion may have specific recommendations for dress or items to bring. Refer to the tour listing or voucher for details.

Some cruise excursions require identification, such as driving tours or tours that provide alcohol. Please bring a valid form of ID to show your guide if requested.

At a tender port, the cruise ship anchors offshore and guests travel to land on smaller tender boats. Tendering can take additional time, so follow the ship's disembarkation instructions and the meeting information on your voucher carefully. Your voucher will explain whether you should meet your guide inside or outside the port area and whom to contact if the ship's arrival or tender operation is delayed.

Luggage storage is not guaranteed on every excursion. Vehicle space, security rules and the day's operating plan vary by tour. Some tours — particularly those that pick up at or drop off at an airport — include luggage storage as part of the tour. When luggage storage is included, the tour listing will clearly state how many pieces are allowed per person. For any other tour, contact us before booking or as early as possible with the number and size of the bags you need to store. Do not leave passports, money, medication or other valuables unattended in a vehicle.

Yes. Through Venture Ashore's Group Leader Travels Free program, group leaders can travel free on all private group tours of 20 or more travelers. For full details and terms, submit an inquiry on our group page.

Yes. Venture Ashore specializes in bespoke cruise excursions tailored to your group's interests. We create private itineraries so you can focus on what you want to do rather than follow a pre-set schedule. Bespoke tour inquiries are complimentary, and are always available by contacting us at [email protected] or visiting our group page.

The app keeps important excursion and group-travel information in one place. Depending on your booking or group, you may be able to view your itinerary, browse experiences selected for your group, reserve tours, access confirmations and meeting instructions, communicate with your guide or Venture Ashore specialist, participate in a private group chat and share trip photos.

Sign in using the email address associated with your Venture Ashore booking or group invitation. Group travelers may also receive an invitation or joining instructions from their group leader or Venture Ashore specialist. If the booking or group does not appear, confirm that you are using the correct email address and contact us with your booking or group information.

Open your trip or excursion and review its confirmed details. Available vouchers, meeting times, meeting locations and guide instructions will appear with the excursion information. If a document or instruction is not visible, also check your email and online account, then contact us before the tour.

Notification permissions are controlled through your device settings. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, select Notifications, choose Venture Ashore and adjust Allow Notifications. On Android, open Settings, select Apps, choose Venture Ashore, then select Notifications. Menu wording may vary by device. Keep important trip notifications enabled while traveling so you do not miss operational updates.

When chat is enabled for your trip or group, open the relevant trip and select the chat option to communicate with your guide, group members or Venture Ashore specialist. For urgent assistance on the day of an excursion, use the local contact number shown on your voucher or meeting instructions if you cannot reach someone through the app.

A booking will appear in the Venture Ashore app only after the excursion has been confirmed and paid in full. Booking the excursion or paying a deposit does not make it visible in the app. If you log in with an email address different from the one used to book the excursion, tap "Find my Excursions" at the bottom right of the home screen and follow the instructions to locate your excursions.

Photo sharing is available for eligible group trips. Open your group or trip and select the photo area to view or upload shared images. Only share photos you have permission to post, especially images that include other travelers or children.

Open your profile or settings area in the app to review the options available for your account. Device-level permissions, including notifications, photos, camera, contacts and location, are managed through the Settings app on your phone or tablet. For help changing account information or requesting deletion of personal data, contact us at [email protected].